Syracuse, NY -- A Syracuse man pleaded guilty today to felony charges of first-degree assault and criminal possession of a weapon after police said he fired first in a gunfight near a crowded park on the city's Near West Side.

Roberto Lopez, of Fitch Street, is expected to be sentenced to 12 years in state prison after pleading guilty before Onondaga County Court Judge Anthony Aloi.

On April 25, police said Lopez opened fire on three people in a car at the intersection of Otisco and Oswego streets, near Skiddy Park and Blodgett School.

An occupant of the car, Luis Santiago, was shot in the head, shoulder and leg.

Senior Assistant District Attorney Robert Duncanson said Lopez fired at the car's occupants before Steven E. Torres returned fire.

Torres was charged with felony criminal possession of a weapon in the incident.